Introducing Maia Krall Fry

Maia Krall Fry is very much a name that we should all be looking out for later this year when her new movie Ebony Road is released later this year, it's also a script that she penned.

I caught up with her to talk about Ebony Road a second project Salt and what lies ahead for the young actress and writer.

Ebony Road is the next project on the horizon for you so can you tell me a little bit about it?

Ebony Road is a feature film based on two homeless sisters who encounter many dangerous people and situations, whilst their distant relationship becomes continuously closer.

We’ve nearly finished filming and it’s looking to premiere later this year.

You also penned the script so how did that come about? How did you get what you had written into production?

I guess I just wanted to tell this story and was persistent in getting people to read it. I originally sent a draft of the script to a small collection of directors I admired and it all went from there.

Last summer we were meeting with Producers and co-directors etc, and slowly I realised that I wanted to keep more of the creative control myself so with thanks to the amazing support from the ‘industry professionals’, I went about creating the film myself.

This is also your first feature film so how did you find the jump up from doing shorts?

You know, both features and shorts are fantastic, you can create such fantastic pieces of film and characters with both and I don’t think that the length of a film hinders that.

I had been wanting to start production on Ebony Road for so long that it never really felt like a jump, it just felt right.

What are the differences & similarities, good points & bad points of shorts and features?

Well with both you work with such fantastic people, but with features that’s more the case as I guess you often spend a lot longer with them on and off set.

You are also working on a new short movie called Salt can you tell me about that?

‘Salt’ is a new fantasy film by Maria Lloyd based on a young girl, Vilde, who lives in a sandcastle. It holds a fantastic metaphor that everyone can relate to about children leaving home.

When I was first sent the script I just knew I had to do it, it is wonderfully creative and beautiful.

We have done some filming up in Norfolk and are going to Poland early next year to film in the salt mines out there!

So how exciting a time is it for you?

I am just really enjoying every project as it comes; I appreciate everything that is happening and hope to continue it all.

I’m especially grateful to all who put so much effort into Ebony Road, especially Oliver Fabian, Daniel Garcia, and Katie Bignell, some of the most talented and hard working actors I have ever worked with

How did you get into acting in the first place?

When I was in primary school, we went to see a production of ‘The Lion King’ in the West End, and after we came out I kept asking the teachers how the children in the play got to be on stage.

I wanted to be up there! The whole way home I quizzed her on how it all works, and then I finally joined a local theatre group and started doing some films mid 2009.

And what was it about acting that drew you to that career?

There is something magical about creating new characters and stories, something so indescribable, yet on the other hand, it feels like the most ordinary thing in the world when doing it.

It’s very hard to describe acting but I think it’s become like an addiction, once you’ve started films, you just can’t stop...

What about the writing aspect of things, to be juggling acting and writing at such a young age is virtually unheard of?

Yes, but really acting and writing go hand in hand. For acting you have to be the characters and writing you have to know them.

You have also worked in the theatre so how do you find that compared to film?

I love both, they are very different. The process of theatre tends to be longer than that of a film; however, for example Maria was developing ‘Salt’ for 6 years before production began so it’s not always true!

How do you find the pressure of theatre work, having to get it right first time? Do you have a favourite film, or theatre?

With theatre you get a much more immediate response from the audiences than you do with film which is great energy to work off, but at the same time you can be more of a perfectionist with film.. so I couldn’t chose a favourite.

Have you had any thoughts of moving into TV?

I would love to; I can imagine that the tighter schedules would be a great experience! I believe ‘Salt’ will be televised as well as being released theatrically too

So you are just starting out in your career so what are your dreams and aspirations?

To continue acting, trying new things, and be given new challenges!

Who really inspires you and why?

Meryl Streep is a big inspiration of mine, alongside being such an amazing actress she is an incredibly beautiful person. When watching her work, you never feel like you are watching an actress.

You are very much being ear marked as a talent to keep an eye on so what do you think about comments like that? Does it bring any added pressure?

Aw thank you, I am just so happy people are excited about my films and I really appreciate everyone’s support endlessly! Ebony Road has in no way been easy, but I would never change anything that’s happened over the last few months.

As well as acting you are still in school so how do you find juggling the two?

I love it, it’s really refreshing to always have something different to go back to.

How important is the education side to you do you intend to continue it or leave it to one side for a while to develop your career?

I really enjoy my school and I don’t think I could ever drop it completely. My teachers are so supportive of my work and whenever I have to miss lessons due to filming they always help make sure I stay on top of my studies!

Finally what's next for you?

Well I am still working on Ebony Road and Salt, and have just finished filming a lead role in a new feature ‘The Accidental Existence of Me’ which will be released next year.

Ebony Road is released in December

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

Maia Krall Fry is very much a name that we should all be looking out for later this year when her new movie Ebony Road is released later this year, it's also a script that she penned.

I caught up with her to talk about Ebony Road a second project Salt and what lies ahead for the young actress and writer.

Ebony Road is the next project on the horizon for you so can you tell me a little bit about it?

Ebony Road is a feature film based on two homeless sisters who encounter many dangerous people and situations, whilst their distant relationship becomes continuously closer.

We’ve nearly finished filming and it’s looking to premiere later this year.

You also penned the script so how did that come about? How did you get what you had written into production?

I guess I just wanted to tell this story and was persistent in getting people to read it. I originally sent a draft of the script to a small collection of directors I admired and it all went from there.

Last summer we were meeting with Producers and co-directors etc, and slowly I realised that I wanted to keep more of the creative control myself so with thanks to the amazing support from the ‘industry professionals’, I went about creating the film myself.

This is also your first feature film so how did you find the jump up from doing shorts?

You know, both features and shorts are fantastic, you can create such fantastic pieces of film and characters with both and I don’t think that the length of a film hinders that.

I had been wanting to start production on Ebony Road for so long that it never really felt like a jump, it just felt right.

What are the differences & similarities, good points & bad points of shorts and features?

Well with both you work with such fantastic people, but with features that’s more the case as I guess you often spend a lot longer with them on and off set.

You are also working on a new short movie called Salt can you tell me about that?

‘Salt’ is a new fantasy film by Maria Lloyd based on a young girl, Vilde, who lives in a sandcastle. It holds a fantastic metaphor that everyone can relate to about children leaving home.

When I was first sent the script I just knew I had to do it, it is wonderfully creative and beautiful.

We have done some filming up in Norfolk and are going to Poland early next year to film in the salt mines out there!

So how exciting a time is it for you?

I am just really enjoying every project as it comes; I appreciate everything that is happening and hope to continue it all.

I’m especially grateful to all who put so much effort into Ebony Road, especially Oliver Fabian, Daniel Garcia, and Katie Bignell, some of the most talented and hard working actors I have ever worked with

How did you get into acting in the first place?

When I was in primary school, we went to see a production of ‘The Lion King’ in the West End, and after we came out I kept asking the teachers how the children in the play got to be on stage.

I wanted to be up there! The whole way home I quizzed her on how it all works, and then I finally joined a local theatre group and started doing some films mid 2009.

And what was it about acting that drew you to that career?

There is something magical about creating new characters and stories, something so indescribable, yet on the other hand, it feels like the most ordinary thing in the world when doing it.

It’s very hard to describe acting but I think it’s become like an addiction, once you’ve started films, you just can’t stop...

What about the writing aspect of things, to be juggling acting and writing at such a young age is virtually unheard of?

Yes, but really acting and writing go hand in hand. For acting you have to be the characters and writing you have to know them.

You have also worked in the theatre so how do you find that compared to film?

I love both, they are very different. The process of theatre tends to be longer than that of a film; however, for example Maria was developing ‘Salt’ for 6 years before production began so it’s not always true!